minerva_library's Reviews (78)

In the past, I've enjoyed dragon books, but what really motivated me to read this one was how popular it had become online - both Xaden the love interest and the plot itself. I really enjoyed book 1 of this series. Like many books I've enjoyed - I read through this book within just a day or so - and could see myself reading through again with more care and attention to detail. It was also enjoyable to read about a protagonist that wasn't the physically strongest as

she's described to have a chronic condition that fans have pointed out sounds like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) - which Author Rebecca Yarros shares that affects the body's connective tissue. 

I loved the stubborn and intellectual nature of Violet Sorrengail. She quickly learns that

due to her less than physical prowess, she'd have to rely on her intellect and cunning which she quickly does by poisoning opponents that otherwise would have the physical upper hand.

I enjoyed the lore and political background that was woven through the story -

as it was a big reason that Violet, daughter of the general, should otherwise stay away from Xaden Riorson, the handsome dragon rider whose family Violet's mother had executes as traitors.

However, it's understandable Violet falls for him as he's definitely described as swoon-worthy.

This book definitely relies on a bit of the "Chosen One" trope with

Violet - the rather unsuspecting hero- in the lead role. Not only does she bond with TWO dragons - something no one else has - but they are both rare and powerful dragons. Not all of her power is reliant on her dragon either as from her bonds with her dragon she gains the ability to wield lightning. 

I did enjoy this as it wasn't too leaned on, and there were times that Violet seemed genuinely at threat rather than protected by plot armor. 

Also the ending! Even when I had my suspicions - the emotional payoff was so good!

It wouldn’t be a good day at work without getting distracted by a delightful book! The art is charming and story is more than entertaining. 

Some books are artsy and intense, and some are like movie theatre popcorn - you don't want it all the time but it's usually good in the moment but maybe not in large amounts. This book is one of those movie theatre popcorn moments where I immensely enjoyed the plot, the characters, even the premise despite not typically being a fan of hockey romance (though authors make it really hard to find fault). The men all respected Molly and her safety, her choices, and her well-being. All of the men had varied personality and appeal.

I really liked this book! It first came on my radar when I saw the movie trailer, and I decided that before watching it I’d like to read the book. Such a silly premise - son of president and son of the British monarch - meet and cause chaos only to realize that the other means more to them than they’d expect. 

I loved how this book explore the progression of their relationship over their texts, their emails, and their visits with each other. I loved that it gave space for them to be self-reflective and panic and the romance was well-written and entertaining. 

I can definitely see myself not only read it again, but maybe try listening to it, and watching the movie again. I know there’s a lot of people who didn’t enjoy this, but I think it executed the strangers to lovers trope well, the premise was fun and lighthearted with the right amount of emotion, and the ending was satisfying for the expected payoff of the book. 

I went back and forth between 2-stars and 3-stars because this was a new author for me and I don’t think I fully grasped that she writes DARK novels. The triggers warning in this book shouldn’t be ignored or taken likely.  I did finish this book and I’ve started Book 2, but after completing this one - it’s decidedly not quite my style. I liked the premise and I’ve enjoyed Why Choose novels plenty of times before. I had no probably with the sexual nature of the book, rather the level of sexual violence and how casual it was treated. 

The premise of the world building was intriguing of which witches of different “factions” exist - kept apart for fear of how powerful they could be together. All of the factions however fear or hate Blood Witches, the originators of the conflict with humans. To most of the witched they’re seen as the reason that witches are looked down upon. 

Despite the intriguing lore,  the plot and events in the book are too violent for me - particularly too sexually violent to me. I was cringing and skimming over parts, waiting for those moments to end and I hated how casual it was treated.

The author’s choice to have sex treated as a obligation and ritual event to the point that women witches in her home aren’t expected to enjoy sex or take personal pleasure was something, but I can’t fathom why it had to also include threat of forced penetration of a knife (which later on is not a threat but actually occurs??)

I did enjoy the relationship between the characters, and the romance as it developed - a sort of amoral Beauty and the Beast captive enemies to lovers. Despite her upbringing, the FMC is portrayed as and continued to develop into a badass. 

But I’m really turned off by the level of misogynistic language included. It just isn’t the kind of thing that even if she’s being rescued and isn’t totally a damsel, that I find enjoyable to read in a romance setting. I think dark romances can be sexy and enjoyable without such mentions of sexual violence, not that I don’t know that consensual non-consent is a thing - which this wasn’t not. Sexual abuse doesn’t occur between the love interests, it all an assault by antagonists. 

Overall, the author is a strong storyteller and world builder and I enjoyed what I read - I can tell why readers might enjoy what they write - but I found myself skimming various sections in annoyance. I do feel like a little to blame as I didn’t take the tags seriously. 

 As a first in the series of a now well-known TV show, I've loved reading this book and seeing more from Sookie's perspective than even seen in the show. My mom loves the show, so it was fun to read and share with her differences from book to show.

 I love hearing Sookie's internal thoughts as she

reads everyone else's thoughts!

I wasn't a huge True Blood fan until I was an adult and had watched about halfway through the first season before starting the book. I remember watching the show and

not putting together that Rene was the serial killer until the reveal and being absolutely gutted

but nothing beats Sookie having that same discovery in the book. 

I saw the first movie years ago before ever reading these books and I LOVED IT. I was enamored with Toothless and I loved the action and the characters in the movies (and shows). Someone from work recommended that if I were to read this book, I should listen to the audiobook as David Tenant's narration is amazing. I have to agree - he does a fantastic job providing not only Hiccup's voice, but Toothless and Stoick the Vast's voice in a way that breathes life into the characters. 

Going from being a huge fan of the movies and shows to reading the book was a big change as I realized that there's pretty big differences between the two. Whereas the movie portrays Hiccup’s village as dragon-killing Vikings, whereas in the book on the island of Berk,

almost EVERYONE is a dragon tamer. If they've been initiated in the Viking Clan (of which there are a few enemy Clans) then they've managed to catch and raise their very own dragon.

Snotlout, Hiccup's cousin, manages to

capture a Monstrous Nightmare dragon - of which is typically reserved for the Chief's son - who is Hiccup.

In the movie, Toothless is a large, and terrifying dragon known as the Night Fury. He's goofy, lovable, and protective of the other dragons and Hiccup. In the book - he's

actually a tiny dragon. Hiccup and Fishlegs lie that he's in fact a rare and deadly dragon breed

. Toothless (book version) requires bargaining to do work, and due to his size prefers to curl up in Hiccup's shirt avoid work if he can. Besides the imagery of that being adorable, Hiccups

is able to speak to Toothless and other dragons in Dragonese - something that no one else in the tribe is able to do.

I found it a little hard to get into right away with the beginning feeling slower than the rest of the book. When jumping into a cast of characters I did have trouble initially following who was who beyond what I knew of movie counterpart names. I probably still love the movie more for the feats of engineering and fighting but I love the witty lines and getting to know more about Hiccup.

I wanna live inside this book and have a quiet day with the little insects living in the mushroom. 

Serpent & Dove takes place in Belterra - which is heavily inspired by France - with many terms, names, and places using a French name. I did find it a bit odd at first as it's not set in France, it's set in a fictional world, yet not much else in this world (besides the ploy being about witches) screams fantasy-land. A review I read from "Inside my Library Mind" mentions how this could have taken place in 15th Century France and it wouldn't have changed much. 

In this series, Lou is a Dame Blanche (witch) and are constantly hunted by Chasseurs (Witch Hunters) for their against nature use of magic. Magic use in this novel was a bit confusing as it's described as patterns in the air, and yes in a way needing a cost as

Lou wipes the memory of an ex-lover so he couldn't reveal information and it costs her the memory of biting his chin and scarring it. She later reflects on this scar of his and wondering where he'd gotten it - which I liked.

It's not often I read a book that I don't enjoy and that was true for this novel here. I enjoyed the banter between Lou and Reid  - even if it was a bit repetative - and I found the plot compelling enough to keep me reading. I found

Lou's secrecy from the reader who she was running from a little tiring        - as to Lou it wasn't a secret -  and the book was told in first-person yet that was information we weren't privy to despite being in Lou's head. Third-person omniscient or limited probably would have suited the narrative better.

Compared to the other books in the series which I’ve now read, this one - though very enjoyable - was probably the slowest of all the books in the series with pacing. In my opinion, Sarah J. Mass successfully

set up Tamlin as a red herring in terms of a romantic interest as when Rhysand arrived and Feyre noticed how handsome he was that I suspected he was likely going to be the real romantic interest. Though it wasn’t stated nor enacted upon until Book 2. Some fans think it plays put this way as SJM never intended for Rhysand to be a love interest but after realizing that she herself like Rhysand more that it would be a good narrative - the dark morally grey love interest 

. However, over the course of time they spent together, Tamlin and Feyre get intimate and form a romantic relationship. Feyre is truly in love at this time with Tamlin and would do anything to help him and keep him safe.

Their relationship is what sets the main plot and the antagonist's plans in motion. Unlike Mass' other series, Throne of Glass, whose plot is propelled by the events of the story and puts a lot of the romantic relationships of characters on the backburner - romance is an integral part to the plot progression in this series. It's dependent on Feyre's love and her willingness to put herself in dangerous situations to save Tamlin.

In the book, I felt for Feyre and her situation. In a new place - the Spring Court of the Fae Realm - and surrounding by people she didn’t know, away from her family, with no choice but to trust those arround her for her survival. Personally, though I liked the scenes between Tamlin and Feyre, I definitely didn’t like Tamlin right away. 

 I found rooting for him difficult as besides being Feyre's kidnapper who she grows close to - I didn't find him all that dashing. He paid a lot of attention to Feyre, and made her feel special and wanted in ways she didn't at home, but personality wise - I found Lucien more dynamically interesting. I really like Lucien’s friendship with Feyre and their banter and I was glad to see that he continues to be a recurring character in the series.